Fence.



No. 657,889. Patented Sept. H, I900.

A. B. TWITCHELL.

FENCE.

(Application filed Apr. 17 1900.)

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UNrrnD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTUS B. TWITGHELL, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,889, dated September 11, 1900.

Application filed April 17, 1900.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS B. TWITCH- ELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fences; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in fences designed to be manufactu red so as to be quickly placed in position when prepared for -use and which can be manufactured readily from material easily and cheaply obtainable.

The construction of fence embodied in my invention is so light, strong, and durable that while it is an excellent permanent fence it will also serve admirably as a knockdown, or portable fence, combining, as it does, the most desirable qualities of both kinds of fences, all as shown in the drawings and hereinafter specified with particular detail.

In the annexed drawings similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all views, wherein- Figure 1 is an isometric perspective of a fence provided with my invention joined together. Fig. 2 is a view of a section of fence provided with my invention and designed to be used as a corner-section, as hereinaftelp explained, the view being broken to permit showing both ends of the fence-section. Fig. 3 is an end view looking from the left of Figs. 1 and 2, showing additional details of c011- struction of the end at that side; and Fig. 4 is a similar view of the right-hand end of the fence sections generally, but particularly ofthe section shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings."

Reference to the drawings will show that the fence is made of running-boards 2 2 at top and bottom, and the intervening space may be provided with plain or barbed wire or wire-netting, as may be desired, according to the purpose for which the fence is to be used. At one end is provided the post-section 4, to which is secured one end of said running-boards 2, while the lower end 4- thereof extends downward below the bottom Serial No. 13,171. (No model.)

board 2 and is sharpened slightly at its end, so as to be easily driven into the ground. At the same end with 4 is the upright 5, which is nailed securely in position over the ends of 2 2. Between 4 and 5 is the piece 6, lying in position vertically between the top and bottom running-boards 2 and occupying all the space except that required for the tongues 6 6, which latter are provided with the bolt-holes c c in the extended portion of the tongue, said piece 6, with the running-boards, forming a reinforce to hold said tongues in position firmly between 4 and 5. At a point slightly removed from 5 is the auxiliary vertical member 7, secured to the running-boards 2 2 at its ends. Lying between 5 and 7 is the brace 12, provided at its lower portion with the anchor 14, and said brace is held in position pivotally at its upper end by means of a pin, (shown in dotted lines at the upper end thereof in Fig. 2,) which pin passes through 5, 12, and 7 laterally, thereby joining the parts together for use. It will be noted that the parts 7 and 12 are duplicated on the opposite side of the same end of the fence-section in conjunction with 4.

Fig. 4 illustrates the right-hand end of the fence-sections, in which 9 9*" comprise the vertical members, between which are fastened the top and bottom running-boards 2 2. Occupying a portion of the space vertically between 2 2 and equidistant therefrom is a member 9, which is of sufiioient length to leave just the proper opening between 9 9 its own ends, and the running-boards 2 2 to form the proper pockets for the introduction therein of the tongues 6 6, which tongues are secured therein by means of pins or bolts passing through 9 9 and said tongues, thereby joining two meeting ends of adjacent 'fence-sections firmly together.

The middle vertical section 3 is joined at top and bottom to the running-boards 2 2, and the wires or netting of the fence are secured thereto by suitable means, as staples. Running diagonally from the upper end sections to the lower running-board 2 are the brace-wires w, which are provided to prevent sagging at the middle of the sections and are secured at their ends and at the middle firmly to hold the parts securely together.

The fence-section illustrated in Fig. 2 is in detail construction similar to all the other sections, with the addition of the vertical bar 8 slightly removed but parallel with 9 and sufficiently apart from 9 to permit the introduction of the tongues 6 between 8 and 9 when it is desired to form an angle, as at the corners of the section of land to be inclosed by the fence, in which position said tongues, are locked firmly by the pins 19 p passinglaterally through 9 and 8 and through the boltholes 0 of the tongues 6, thereby forminga practically-rigid corner, which is also rein-' forced and braced against lateral or longitin dinal shifting by the post section 4 and' braces l2,which are there,as elsewhere,driven into the ground, and also by stakes, which are driven in an oblique direction into the ground over the anchors 14 on the braces 12.

It will be noted that by myinvention,using, as I do, material cuttlat and for all but seven, eight, twelve, and fourteen foot lumber out four inches wide by one and one-fourth inches thick,1 am enabled to dispense with all posts at the meeting ends of the Fence-sections, and because of the peculiar detail construction of the ends I am enabled to work up sixteenfoot lumber with absolutely no waste whatever, thereby adding greatly to the economy ot the construction of my improved fence.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secure by Letters Patent, is

In a fence of the class described runningboards 2, 2, end sections comprising a postsection With downwardly projecting sharpened end portion, a parallel vertical member extending from the top line of the upper running-board to the lower line of the bottom running-board and secured firmly to both, longitudinally-projecting tongues extending from the end section at one end, a vertical intermediate member secured between the post-section and its parallel vertical member and abutting at its ends against said tongues, parallel vertical mernhers next the end sections nearer the middle of the fence-section and braces connected at their upper ends to said end sections and said last-mentioned parallel vertical members, 7, in combination with pockets at the opposite abutting ends of the fence-sections formed of three vertical end pieces, and the ends of the runningboards, joined rigidly together all substantially as described and shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUSTUS B. TWITOHELL.

Witnesses:

JAMES S. LUDINGTON, JOHN J. B. HICKEY. 

